A DISCOURSE On 2 Cor. III. 6. Who also hath made us Able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit For the Letter killeth but the Spirit giveth Life BY Samuel Comlyns M. A. Minister of the Gospel in Marleborough LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the Lower End of Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1699. THE DEDICATION To my Well-beloved Friends in Christ Mr. Stephen Lock Mr. William Smith Mr. John Isgar and other Christian Friends living in Gospert Grace Mercy and Peace be multiply'd IT is near Thirty years ago that I was first Acquainted with some of you and Conversant among you Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God I am now drawing towards the Confines of Time and the Borders of Eternity I was therefore willing to Dedicate this Discourse of Christ's Testament to you as a Grateful Acknowledgment of your Kindness to me and as a Token and Pledge of that Real Love that I bare towards you The Testament of Christ is the most Noble and Sweet Subject that your Minds can be Conversant about and your Affections feed on that which was contrived from Eternity may well be Matter of Contemplation in time and of Admiration to Eternity This Testament was drawn in the Mind and Counsel of God before the Foundations of the World and hath been since Written in the Blood and established by the Death of the Son of God In it there are the most precious and inestimable Legacies Bequeathed God gives himself as a Father and Portion Jesus Christ gives himself as a Husband and the Spirit is given as a Sanctifier and Comforter and Christians are caused to inherit the Church and Heaven that once were desolate Heritages as to them though the Testator be alive again yet this doth not lessen our Portion or worst our Estate Isa 4.8 as the Death of Christ doth Purchase so the Life of Christ is powerful to conveigh and bestow his Legacies Christ hath passed through the most hard and difficult part of his Work Rom. 5.10 he died to reconcile us that he may live and save us and may sit in Heaven and Enrich us and perfect whatever concerns our Happiness Consider these following particulars in Relation to the Testament of Christ 1. The Wisdom of God shines in this that such a way should be found out to set God's House in Order and to dispose of the most Rich and Great Estate all ways of Communicating Good to the Creature seemed to be shut up and obstructed by the Guilt of Sin God's Treasury was Locked his Fountain Sealed his giving Hand bound but Christ died for the Redemption of Transgressions Heb. 9.15 to buy off those sins that would separate between God and us that would hinder good things from us and sink us down into the Bottomless Pit and shut us up in the Eternal Prison The Conveyance therefore of a Rich Estate to Guilty Beggerly Bankrupt Creatures through the Death and Testament of Christ is the bare contrivance of Infinite Wisdom In the Lord's Supper the Seal of Christ's Testament his Blood is set forth as Purchasing us to be a peculiar People Acts 20.10.41.15 and his Flesh is set forth as Bread to strengthen and enable us to perform our Duty towards our Saviour By Redemption we are obliged to be First-Fruits to God and the Lamb Rev. 14.4 and by Regeneration we are fitted to be First-Fruits James 1.18 that is to consecrate and devote our selves to God and Christ and to live to them 2. Consider the Admirable Righteousness of God that appears in this Testament that Jesus Christ purchased what he Bequeathed he is a Priest of good things Heb. 9.1 that is he Merited he procured them by his Death Good things do not come to us as a Gift from Christ Living but as a Legacy from Christ Dying It is now just with God to forgive the sins of Believers John 1.9 It might have been just with God to punish and destroy but now through the Death of Christ it is just for God to Forgive Grace may now Reign through Righteousness to Eternal Life Rom. 5. last And they that receive an Abundance of Grace and of the Gift of Righteousness shall Reign in Life Rom. 5.17 Jesus Christ doth not as other Testators by Death leave the Inheritance empty but Purchases a Right for us to enter upon the Inheritance and to possess and enjoy it 3. Consider the wonderful Grace of God and Christ that is manifested in this Testament 1. That Christ should Constitute us as his Heires then he might have Executed us as Malefactors 2. That when the Threatnings were in force for our Death that Jesus should die to put the Promises in force for our Life that he should cease to live for a time that we might live eternally 3. That he should make a Testament to enrich us with Spiritual and Eternal Blessings when we had by sin forfeited our Lives and deserved to be stript of all Temporal Comforts and Enjoyments 4. That Jesus Christ should become poor to enrich us 2 Cor. 8.9 He became poor that we by his Poverty might be made Rich. Jesus Christ had no House to put his Head in he lived on what others Ministred to him Matth. 8.20 Luke 8.3 He was robbed of his good Name and censured as a Blasphemer of God and Condemned as an Vsurper and Enemy to Caesar they stript him of his Garments and did not cease afflicting him till every drop of Strength was gone out of his Body and every spark of Life was quenched and he became a weak cold Carcase Christ was thus emptied to fill us and stooped so low to lift us up to Glory 5. What the Law of God requires as a Duty by Christ it is Bequeathed as a Legacy and bestowed as a pure Gift What is required of the Heirs of Promise is purchased for them by the Blood of the Testator and wrought in them by the Spirit of Promise They are changed from Glory to Glory as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. last The Holy Ghost doth excite actuate and draw forth Grace This North and South Wind blowing on Christ's Garden doth cause the Spices of it flow forth Cant. 4. last If Duties were required to be performed by our Free-will and Natural Strength the New Covenant would not differ from the Covenant of Works The First Promise was a most Free and preventing Promise and in it undertakes to break the League and Amity that was between the Woman and the Serpent and to kindle Enmity between them and their Seed Gen. 3.15 And this Free Promise was to be apprehended by Faith only God doth not say Do and your Soules shall live but hear that is Believe and your Soules shall live Isa 55.3 The Promise doth not run thus I will be your God if you will be my People but I will be their God and they shall be my People Joel 31.33 Christ takes it upon himself
out of him so the Church was hid in Christ formed and drawn out of Christ cast into the deep sleep of death Ezek. 47.11 John 19.34 O rejoyce in Christs Testament glory in his Riches Triumph in his Salvation that when sin reigns over most unto death grace should reign over you thro' the Righteousness of Christ unto Eternal life 2 Cor. III. 6. Who also hath made us Able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit For the Letter Killeth but the Spirit giveth Life IN the words 1. we have a Subject spoken of and that is the New Testament as it is distinguished from the Old Testament which was not the Covenant of Works but the Covenant of Grace wrapt up in Types and Figures more darkly Administred Galat. 3.18 2. The Apostle insists on this New Testament and commends it that it is Spirit and not Letter 1 John 17. that is the Holy Ghost doth eminently and signally manifest himself in this New Testament Dispensation It is Filled it is Enriched it is Ennacted by the Holy Ghost he doth so breath in it and worketh it that it may well be called Spirit and not Letter The Gospel is not a meer Literal Doctrine or Command but mightily animated by the Spirit if it were only Letter it would kill us frail and weak Greatures exacting Duty And requiring Obedience of us that are Impotent yea dead Creatures but it is Spirit and so it gives Life The Holy Ghost enlightens Blind Minds softens Hard Hearts and Quickens Dead Souls The effectual Workings of the Spirit are called the Law of the Spirit and this Law of the Spirit of Life is said to make free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 This is a Law that is all Power and consists wholly in Execution 3. The Apostle informs us of the Honour and Dignity of Gospel-Officers for they are Ministers of this New Testament 4. The Apostle glorifies God and instructs us how it is that Officers do become able Ministers of this New Testament It is God that made Paul and others Able Ministers of the New Testament The words afford us Three Doctrines 1st That there is a New Testament 2dly That Gospel Officers are Ministers of this New Testament 3dly That it is God that doth make Men able Ministers of the New Testament 1. Doctrine that there is a New Testament We may observe and admire the Wisdom of God that first there was a Promise then a Covenant then a Testament this last the best and most Noble Edition of the Covenant of Grace this is called the New Testament to distinguish it from the Old Testament First The Old Testament was made with one Nation in the day that the Lord took Israel by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Egypt but it is God's design by Christ and the New Testament to gather together into one all the Children of God that are scattered abroad John 6.52 Christ Preacheth now not onely to the Jews that were nigh but also to the Gentiles that were afar off Ephes 2.17 2. The First Testament had Moses for â Mediator Gal. 5.19 The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth comes by Jesus Christ 1 John 17. Jesus is the Madiator of the New Testament Heb. 9.15 The Old Testament was accompanied with Figures and Shadows of things to come 2 Col. 17. The Law had a shadow of good things to come and not the very Image of the Things that is Christ himself and the very Live Image of Spiritual things were not then exhibited Righteousness was not yet brought Atonement was not yet made the Fountain was not yet opened for sin and uncleanness The Law and Prophets Prophesied till John Matth. 1.13 they spake of Christ and foretold the Glorious things of the Gospel as yet to come but now the Kingdom of God is clearly discovered and is Preached as come Luke 7.16 I ourthly The Old Testament and the Ceremonial Law made nothing perfect Heb. 7.19 but did introduce the Hope of a better Priest and of a more Noble Sacrifice but Christ by one Offering hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified On the day of Atonement there was a remembrance of all the Sins committed that year which did shew the weakness and imperfection of those Sacrifices in that there was a Remembrance again made of Sins But in this the Excellency and Perfection of Christ's Sacrifice appears in that it did purge and put away Sin and God on the account of it made that Promise Your Sins and Iniquities I will Remember no more Heb. 10.17 18. Fifthly The Old Testament was confirmed by the Blood of Beasts Moses killed Sacrifices and took the Blood of them and sprinkled it on the People saying behold the Blood of the Covenant that God hath made with you But the New Testament was confirmed with better Blood Christs Blood is the Blood of Sprinkling and the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant Heb. 12.24 Heb. 13.20 Sixthly The Old Testament was weak and faulty it did not it could not purge Conscience by the Blood of Brutish Sacrifices neither could it introduce the Law of God into the Soul and write it in the Heart but the New Testament is strong and powerful it makes those that were barren to bear and rejoyce Isa 54.1 And by it the Law of God is writ in the Heart and put into the inward parts and the Soul is Renewed and Transformed to walk with and live to God 7thly The Old Testament waxed old and did vanish away but the New Testament remains abides and is Everlasting Heb. 13.20 the Blood of Christ is still fresh and therefore his Testament is still new He offered one Sacrifice for Sins for ever Heb. 10.12 His Sacrifice is of an Everlasting Virtue and the way made by it to the true Holy of Holies is living and still new Heb. 10.19 and the Covenant and Testament built on this Everlasting Sacrifice must need be Everlasting This is God's last speaking to the World and it shall never give place to any other Covenant Heb. 7.1 This is a better Covenant or Testament established on better Promises than the Covenant of Works was Heb. 8.6 yea the Promises of the New Testament are clearer and exhibit more grace than the Promises of the Old Testament The Old Covenant is compared to and set forth by Hagar that was a young Woman and had Natural Strength to conceive and bare a Son Gal. 4.24 25. with Isa 54.1 but the New Testament is set forth by Sarah that was barren and was made fruitful by a supernatural power Acts 1.11 The Promises of the Law do respect the strength that God first put into Man and are built on the obedience to be performed by this strength but the New Testament is built on a Spiritual and Supernatural strength put into the Soul by the Holy Ghost For the opening and Explication of this New Testament I shall insist on these several
be mindful of his Covenant Psal 111.5 The Kingdom of God and his Righteousness is our chief good and true Happiness the main of Gods Covenant is wrapt up in this Matth. 6.33 yet Earthly and outward things are Promised as an advantage these shall be added to God's Children to supply their wants The Children of Israel had need of a Passage to Canaan the Country that God had given them Moses sent to Sihon to desire a passage through his Country unto Canaan Deut. 2.26 27 28 30. but he refused to let Israel pass through his Land so God gave him up to Israel to be destroyed Thus the People of God must have some Footing in and Possession of the World as it is a passage to the Heavenly Canaan that is their proper Country Heb. 11.15 16. 3. How do Christians become Heirs I answer By being effectually called None but such shall partake of the Eternal Inheritance Heb. 9.15 When Christ doth not only seek after straying Souls but doth apprehend them Phil. 3.12 Paul saith he was apprehended of Christ When the Lord of Glory doth not only knock but open the Heart Rev. 3.20 Acts 16.14 When the call of God is accompanied with gifts Rom. 11.29 The gifts and calling of God are without Repentance when God so calls that he gives an understanding to know him 1 John 5.20 and gives a Heart to love and fear him Deut. 30.6 Jer. 32.39 When God bestows a new Heart and a new Spirit then is the call effectual Ezek. 36.26 Fourthly Where there is a Testament there must be a Sanction Confirmation and Establishment of it Heb. 9.15 Where there is a Testament there must of necessity be the death of the Testator Heb. 9.16.17 The Civil Law saith as long as a Man lives voluntas est perambulatoria it is mutable and changeable but the Death of a Testator fixes things and gives force to his Will confirms and establishes all his Legacies How sweet are these words where there is a Testament there must be the Death of the Testator The Law speaks at another rate where there is a Crime the Criminal must be punished Where there is a Transgression the threatening must be put in force the Curse must be executed the Transgressor must be cut off but here is a New Testament established by the Blood of Jesus Christ This is my Blood of the New Testament Matth. 26.28 This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood 1 Cor. 11.25 Jeremiah did speak of God's making a New Covenant or Testament Jer. 31.31 but there is no mention made or discovery given of the Blood that this New Covenant was to be confirmed by but the Gospel teacheth us what the Blood is by which the New Testament is established God did put the threatenings and Curse of the Law in force by cutting off Christ Zech. 13.7 Isa 53.8 That he might put the Promises in force fulfill them to us and bestow the Eternal Inheritance on us Who could have imagined or thought of such a thing that the death of Sinners should be prevented and the death of a Testator should succeed and be in the place of their Sufferings and death Fifthly Where there is a Testament there must be an effectual way to execute it We read of the sure Mercies of David that is of Christ as the next Verse doth plainly evidence that it is Christ that is spoken of for he is said to be given as a Witness as a Leader and Commander to the People Isa 55.3 4. This is observable that all the Riches Blessings and Benefits of the Covenant are Christ's Mercies He is a Priest of good things Heb. 9.11 he purchases he procures them and it is he also that distributes and gives them out In Isaiah there is only mention made of the sure Mereies of David but in the Acts Acts 13.34 it is thus expressed I will give you the sure Mercies of David and this Promise is grounded on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who is now no more to return to Corruption Acts 13.33 34. As Christ died as a Testator so he rose again to be the Executor of his own Testament he is not alive to Violate or Disanul but to fulfil his Testament So we are said to be saved by his Life Rom. 5.10 Heb. 7.25 Jesus Christ discharges all his Offices by executing of his Testament 1. Jesus Christ executes his Prophetical Office No Man hath seen God but the only begotten that is in the Bosom of the Father hath declared him to us 1 John 18. Luke 1.7 8. Isa 9.6 Mal. 3. last He is the Day spring from on high the Wonderful Counsellor the Messenger of the Covenant he Preached Righteousness and declared God's Faithfulness and Salvation Psal 40.9 10. 2. Jesus Christ executes his Priestly Office in Sprinkling his Blood as clean Water to Purifie from Uncleanness and to Wash Men from their Sins Ezek. 36.28 Rev. 1.5 6. And Jesus as Priest Intercedes that his Legacies may be bestow'd and his Blood cries for the Execution of his Testament Heb. 7.25 He ever lives to make Intercession John 17.19.24 Heb. 12.24 3. Jesus Christ as King executes his Office he writes his Doctrine and Laws in the hearts of his Subjects and gives them new hearts Jer. 31.33 Ezra 36.56 1. Vse This may inform us of the wonderful Grace of God that there should be a New Testament Did Fallen Man ever imagine or conceive such a thing that Christ's Goods should be Dispensed and his Inheritance be derived to and setled on Sinful Creatures by a Testament Ratified by his own Blood and Death 1. We deserved to be stript and deprived of all External and Temporal Enjoyments that the Wine-press and the Corn-floor should not feed us Hos 9.2 That God should return and take away his Corn Wool and Flax from us Hos 2.9 and that the things that God hath given us shall pass away from us Jer. 8.13 God might by the Execution of his Threatnings have impoverished and destroy'd us and what Grace is this that he should make a Testament to save and inrich us 2. The Covenant of Works doth exact perfect and perpetual Obedience it requires the full Debt without any abatement of us poor Insolvent Creatures and threatens us with Eternal Punishment and Perdition for any defect failure or default in our Obedience And what Grace is this that a New Testament should be made that forgives the Guilty and gives to the Poor The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ John 1.17 3. Consider how dear it cost Jesus Christ to be a Testator 1. He was obliged to put on our Humane Nature that he might have a Body to offer up a Life to lay down Blood to shed a Soul to pour out to the Death 2. Jesus Christ must be a Surety Heb. 7.22 or else he could not have been a Testator he must bear our sins pay our Debt discharge our Ransom he must buy and purchase all
Ministers that Preach what they have Tasted and Experienc'd Christ in the 7th of St. Iohn v. 38th saith He that believes on me out of his belly shall flow Rivers of Living Waters This phrase out of his Belly is to be observed he that hath drank of Christ's Spiritual VVaters out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living VVaters that which hath satisfied and delighted him shall flow out to the Refreshment of others O how earnest and importunate should Christians be at the Throne of Grace that God would furnish the Church with a skilful and active Ministry Aaron was to have Golden Bells and Pomegranates on the Hem of his Garment round about Exod. 28.33 24 35. The Pomegranates might point at the Sweet Savour of Christ's Death and Sacrifice And this was to be sounded out by the Apostles Preaching as Golden Bells Justin Martyr doth apply these Bells to the Apostles and Gospel Ministers in his Dialogue with Tryphis the Jew These do depend on the Garment of Christ as High Priest of the Church They are by Preaching to sound out the Sufferings and Death of Christ to the World Solomon made a Molten Sea that contained a great quantity of Water and it was put upon Twelve Oxen three of which looked to each of the Quarters of the World And this Sea seems to point out the Blood of Christ and its abundant Merit and the Twelve Apostles as so many Spiritual Oxen were to bare and carry this Sea of Blood into the several parts of the World by the Preaching of the Gospel that Soules might be washed in this Spiritual Sea the Great Trumpet was to be blown Isa 27. last the Spiritual Jubilee was to be Proclaim'd and Who should do this but the Ministers of the Gospel Christ was to be lifted up Isa 49.22 Isa 11.10 Isa 53.1 2 Cor. 2.14 as a Standard and to stand as an Ensign to draw perishing sinners together to seek Righteousness and Salvation in him A Report was to be made of Jesus Christ the sweet Savour of his Knowledge was to be shed abroad And who are fit Spiritual Incense-Pans or Vessels to bear the Name of Christ before the World but the Ministers of the New Testament Though these are but as little Children in the Eye of the World because of mean Quality and Degree as to their outward State yet such Little Children shall be enabled by the Power of God to Lead Herds of those that have been Lions Tygers and Bears but now become Tame and Gentle Creatures Isa 1.6 7. They are to Reclaim Men from their Savage Cruel Barbarous Nature and Manners and to Reduce them to the Meekness and Gentleness of Christ They are to Hew Sinners out of the Common Quarry they are in to Fish and draw them out of the Dead Sea Ezek. 17.10 11. to cut them out of the Wild Olive not to be Burnt but to be Grafted they are to out the Navel of Sinners Ezek. 16.4 and to separate them from Old Adam They are to beget Men in Christ 1 Cor. 4.15 they are to Ingraft Men into Christ and to Espouse them to Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 They are to encourage the Dejected and Disconsolate In this sense the Breasts of the Church are as the Clusters of the Vine they contain excellent Wine of Consolation Isa 66.11 Soules may suck and be satisfied with the Breasts of her Consolation Cant. 7.8 They are to strengthen the weak hands to confirm the Feeble Knees to say to them that are of a fearful heart be strong and fear not Isa 35.3 4. They are to Feed Strengthen and Nourish Soules The Breasts of the Church are as Towers Cant. 8.10 The same Hebrew Word is used to fignifie a Pulpit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Migdal The Pulpits of Ministers are the Churches Breasts whereby Soules are Fed and Nourished Not only their Lips but their Souls must Preach Therefore it is put in the Feminine Gender Cokeleth Eccles 1.1 So Psal 68.11 They that Publish it is also put in the Feminine Gender to intimate it is Souls that must Preach There is need of a Mighty Power to work in Ministers that they may Pray Fervently Preach and Exhort Zealously 1 Col. last Have large and capacious Soules that may have room for all the concerns of the Church and be suitably affected with the Burdens Temptations Afflictions Soul-Troubles and Distresses of every particular Christian to Watch over the Members of the Church to care for them to Instruct Warn Reprove to deny themselves to spend and be spent for Christ O what a Presence Assistance and Powerful Influence of the Spirit doth this Require to fit and enable Ministers for the full Discharge of their Office O therefore wrestle with God cry mightily to him to Raise up such Able Ministers of the New Testament that may be filled with the Spirit and Preach in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power 1 Cor. 2.4 And be earnest to rescue Souls from the Power of Darkness and to Translate them into the Kingdom of God's dear Son That they may be Pens in the Hand of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.3 to Write the Doctrine of the Gospel in the Mindes and Hearts of Men that their Mouthes may be a Sword in the hand of the Spirit to wound the Old Man to Death Ephes 6.17 Jer. 23.29 And that the Word they Preach may be a Hammer in the Hand of the Spirit to break the Rocky Hearts of Men in Pieces and as a Fire to burn up the Dross of Men and inflame their Soules with Love to and Zeal for God FINIS BOOKS Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three-Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chapel THE Fountain of Life opened or a Displaâ— of Christ in his Essential and Mediatoral Glory containing Forty two Sermons on various Texts Wherein the Impetration of our Redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun carried on and finished by his Covenant Transaction mysterious Incarnation solemn Call and Dedication blessed Offices deep Abasement and Supereminent Advancement A Treatise of the Soul of Man wherein the Divine Original excellent and immortal Nature of the Soul are opened its Love and Inclination to the Body with the necessity of its Separation from it considered and improved The Existence Operations and States of separated Souls both in Heaven and Hell immediately after Death asserted discussed and variously applied Divers knotty and difficult Questions about departed Souls both Philosophical and Theological stated and determined The Method of Grace in bringing home the Eternal Redemption contrived by the Father and accomplished by the Son through the Effectual Application of the Spirit unto God's Elect being the second Part of Gospel Redemption The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Providence its Being and Efficacy asserted and vindicated all the Methods of Providence in our course of Life opened with Directions how to apply and improve them Navigation spiritualiz'd or a New Compass for Seamen consisting of Thirty Two Points of pleasant Observations profitable Applications serious Reflections all concluded with so many spiritual Poems c. A Saint indeed the great Work of a Christian A Touchstone of Sincerity or Signs of Grace and Symptoms of Hypocrisie being the second Part of the Saint indeed A Token for Mourners or Boundaries for Sorrow for the Death of Friends Husbandry spiritualiz'd or the Heavenly use of Earthly Things All these Nine by Mr. John Flavell Sermons and Discourses on several Divine Subjects by the late Reverend and Learned David Clarkson B. D. and sometime Fellow of Clare-Hall Cambridge Folio Of Thoughtfulness for the Morrow With an Appendix concerning the immoderate Desire of foreknowing Things to come Of Charity in reference to other Mens sins A Sermon directing what we are to do after a strict Enquiry whether or no we truly Love God A calm and sober Enquiry concerning the Possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead A Sermon preach'd on the late Day of Thankâ—giving Decemb. 2. 1697. To which is persixâ— Dr. Bates's Congratulatory Speech to the Kingâ— All these Eleven by Mr. John Howe The Good of Early Obedience or the Adâ—vantage of bearing the Yoke of Christ betimeâ— Octavo The Almost Christian or the false Professoâ— Tried and Cast Duodecimo Spiritual Wisdom improved against Temptatâ—on Duodecimo The Vision of the Wheels seen by the Propheâ— Ezechiel Quarto A Sermon of Unity or Two Sticks made one Quarto All Five by Matth. Mead Pastor of Church of Christ at Stepney Discourses upon the Rich Man and Lazaruâ— Octavo Three last Sermons of Mr. Cruso To which 〈◊〉 added a Sermon on Novemb. 5. 1697. Octavâ— Both by Tim. Cruso M. A. His Funeral Sermon preach'd by Matth. Meaâ— Quarto The Life and Death of Mr. Philip Henry Miniâ—ster of the Gospel at Whitchurch in Shorpshire whâ— died June 24. 1696 Recommended by Dr. Bates David Jones's Sermon in Ember-Week preacheâ— before the University of Oxford The Qualifications requisite towards the Râ—ceiving a Divine Revelation A Sermon preacâ—ed in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul Januaâ—â— the 2d 1699. Being the First for this Year 〈◊〉 the Lecture Founded by the Honourable Robeâ— Boyle Esq By Samuel Bradford M. A. Rector 〈◊〉 St. Mary le Bow
to fetch back and bring home straying Sheep and to cause them Isa 29.19 though deaf and dead John 5.25 to hear his voice John 10.16 We cannot sincerely enter into Covenant with God till God in a great measure hath executed his Covenant in us whence Miracles of Grace is to be wrought on us that Gifts of Grace might be received by us Till we have new hearts and spirits given to us we shall but flatter God and lie to him in all our seeming Service Psal 79.36 37. Hos last It is bad to lie to God in all our Confessions of Sin and Petitions for Grace and Mercy We must not therefore stay in the Exacting Letter of the Law but have Recourse to the Living Testament of Christ The Law saith be Holy Deut. 20.7 But it is Christ that Sanctifies Heb. 2.11 and as an everlasting Father doth propagate and derive a new Divine Nature to us Isa 9.6 2 Pet. 1.4 We are bid to Love God but it is Christ that Circumcises the Heart 2 Col. 11. To Love God he cuts off the Vnclean and Filthy Foreskin of Sinful Self-love and Baptizes with his Spirit as with Fire Deut. 30.6 to inflame our hearts with Love towards and zeal for God Matth. 3.11 We are charged to acquaint our selves with God Job 22.21 but the Promise must help us here All Zions Children shall be Taught of God and shall all know me from the greatest to the least Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.39 He that hath heard and learned of the Father comes to Christ John 6.44 45. We are enjoyn'd to keep God's Precepts diligently Psal 119.4 but God hath promised to Write his Laws in our hearts Jer. 31.33 We ought to live to and walk with God yet it is by virtue of his Spirit put into us and causing of us to walk in his Statutes and to keep his Commandments Ezek. 36.27 All the Earth is called on to Fear God Psal 33.8 but that we may do it God must put his Fear into our hearts Jer. 32.40 We ought to Repent but it will never be except God doth take away the heart of Stone and give a heart of Flesh Mark 1.15 Ezek. 36.26 Faith it self is comprised in and given by Christ's Testament to know God and Christ containes Faith in it Jer. 31.34.17 John 3. By his Knowledge that is by Believing on him Christ Justifies many Isa 53. Chap. 11. 4. Consider the Excellent and Glorious Power that executes this Testament 2 Cor. 4.7 Ephes 1.19 God saith he will be our God and we shall be his People Jer. 3.33 God cannot be our God if Idols are not cast out if Enemies are not dethroned if Rivals and Competitors are not put from their nearness to and intimacy with the Heart and this the mighty Power the glorious arm of God only can effect And we can never be Gods People if our blindness be not cured our enmity conquered if our Minds be not renewed and our Wills inclined to choose God for our chief good and only portion Christ knocks and it is he that must open the door Rev. 3.20 Acts 16.14 It is he that calls Isa 55.5 And must enable us to Eccho to his call to say we are the Lords Isa 48.5 and that he is our God Zech. 13. last 5. Consider the consolation that may be drawn from this Testament that we are so safe that there is no condemnation to us Rom. 8.1 because Gods sword hath awaked against Christ Zech. 13.7 Our debt was exacted of him our Curse was executed on him and that spiritual things are made so sure to us by Christs death that is past and by his Testament that is confirmed and made irrevocable that there can be no detracting from its free Promises or adding barder and heavier terms to it Gal. 3.15 There is no disanulling or adding to it God promises to pour Waters on him that is thirsty and floods on the dry ground Isa 44.3 4. The Heavenly Husbandman will improve and inrich dry and barren ground If the overflowing of Nilus makes Egypt fruitful therefore we read of the Harvest of the Kiezr Isa 23.3.4 that Harvest that is caused by the River much more can the Spirit as the River of God make us fruitful 3. I would exhort you to make sure your own concern in an Interest in this Testament of Jesus Christ be is risen from the dead to woo and espouse Souls to himself Rom. 7.4 If you be joined to the suerty of the Testament and be Married to the Testator all the Riches of this Testament shall be yours God with Christ gives all things Rom. 8.32 Eccho to Christs call and open at his knock let in the Heir of all things and he will bring in his Righteousness his Riches his fullness with him Christ will come in and order our Thoughts our Wills Affections and subdue all to himself Isa 9.7 Psal 47.3 Christ will execute justice and Judgment Jer. 23.5 he will execute justice He will do God right in raising up fallen bringing back straying alienate sinners to God Isa 49.56 And he will execute judgment in destroying Satan and his works Heb. 2.15 1 John 3.8 Though there were many Creatures in the Earth yet Adam was counted to be alone till a VVoman was made for him to set his love on So though you have abundance of Creature enjoyments yet count your selves to be alone till you Know Love and Marry Jesus Christ 3. Express your gratitude and thankfulness to God and Christ for this Testament Paul saith Brethren we are debters Rom. 8.12 Never were any such great debters as believers are to God and Christ you were Reconciled when Enemies justified when Vngodly Rom. 5.2 Rom. 4.4 Righteousness hath looked down from Heaven Psal 55.11 And Bread hath been rained down from Heaven when it should have sprung up and grown out of the Earth How wonderful is it that Enmity should be slain Isa 61.1 Isa 49.9 Isa 49.24 Ephes 2.16 and yet Enemies be spared and reconciled That Sin should be condemned Rom. 8.3 yet Sinners be pardoned Col. 2.13 That Christ came to destroy Satans work only John 1.38 but to heal revive and set at liberty those that were the workmanship of God he releases Prisoners and delivers those that were lawful Captives Heb. 2.18 Rom. 8.2 They are turned from the power of Satan to God and made free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 Children of wrath might have been made Vessels of wrath have been filled up with Gods fury and have been dashed to pieces by that Rod of Iron that is in Christs hand In the Law if a Husband was Arrested for debt his VVife and Children might be sold to pay the debt Matth. 15.25 and to free the Husband and Father But what Grace is this that Christ who is the Everlasting Father and Husband of the Church should be sold to pay our debts As Eve was hid in Adam and by a Divine Power Isa 9.6 2. Cor. 11.2 brought forth